[cjwill]

I just purcahsed my first trainer, and i own a trek 5200 that i really love to ride.

Will riding the 5200 in the trainer affect the frame in any fashion ?

 

[RemingtonShowdown]

Some folks believe that the stress placed on the bike from being bolted into a fixed object will "harm" it... That is, when you lean left or right all the tension builds up around the rear triangle. Some believe that a carbon frame will somehow become weakened by this... Really-these frames are most definetly strong enough to handle the stress-just try and stay upright on the bike and limit its' sway...your tire will recieve more wear than anything else...

 

[Coolhand]

I might not want to do it with a bolted on carbon rear stay, but other then that you should be ok. Note- it will eat the heck out of your rear tire (get a cheapo training tire or wheel) and can mar your quick release.

The best solution is a cross bike/trainer bike/commuting bike/back up parts mule/bad weather bike. I use my Redline Cross bike for this.

 

[MarkS]

No problems here

I just purcahsed my first trainer, and i own a trek 5200 that i really love to ride.

Will riding the 5200 in the trainer affect the frame in any fashion ?

I have been riding my 5200, which I bought in November 2000, on the trainer for the past four winters with no apparent ill effect. You will want to get a rear skewer that will fit into the trainer better than the skewer that comes with the bike. If you are going to ride a lot on the trainer, you may want to get a cheap tire and/or cheap wheel for riding indoors -- the trainer is rough on tires. Enjoy (or at least enjoy as much as you can riding indoors)